Follow the star to Call to the River - -

Call to the River -- Give yourself a New Years present! It is not too late to sign up for the Call to the River retreat, beginning with dinner on January 8 through lunch on January 10 at Manidokan Retreat Center, near Harpers Ferry WV. The focus of the retreat is discerning and living into our calling today as individuals and as spiritual leaders. The retreat will be facilitated by Marjory Bankson who has written and led retreats on discerning one’s calling for many years, and also by Rod Miller who will be opening us to what is emerging in leadership and sense of purpose today. Registration is $150 which covers all expenses.
Call the Faith at Work office to register: 800/245-7378.

Navigating the River

Navigating the River

White water rafting is an exhilarating ride on a rushing river full of obstacles. I used to gather with a group of friends each June to go rafting on a very difficult stretch of white water on the Youghiogheny River. We always went with a guide who knew where all the dangerous spots were and the best route around the obstacles of downed trees, large rocks, swirling pools, and hidden dangers beneath the water’s surface. Without the guide we would have never made it home in one piece!

To help guide us in our unique call to ministry we will be gathering for a retreat January 8th-10th , 2009 to talk about navigating the river that separates us from where we are now and where God wants us to be. That river is often filled with obstacles that we can see and can’t see. We need the guidance of the Holy Spirit and others to cross that river.
The Jordan River was a key location that made that same separation for the nation of Israel. It was also the key location of Christ’s baptism which marked the beginning of his public ministry. It was the site where Elijah was taken up to heaven and the call of leadership was transferred to Elisha.

Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River. He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across. – 2 Kings 2:13-14 (NLT) This passage recalls to us another leader, Joshua, who had to cross the Jordan River to lead the people into the Promised Land. It is interesting to note that both the name of Elisha and Joshua have the meaning of “The Lord Saves.” God uses leaders in the process of “saving” people. The barrier or obstacle that stands in the way is the river and so God’s power is revealed in making a way through that obstacle.

How is God making a way for your call to become reality? What obstacles do you need to discern a way around or through to make it to where God wants you to be?

In preparation for our upcoming retreat here are a few questions to ponder;

1. Read 2 Kings:2 quietly to yourself and then again out loud. Journal about what impressions the text makes upon you. What does the river symbolize for you? What does the river look like that God is asking you to navigate?
2. Spend some time reflecting on your call to ministry in the past. How has it changed? What is God calling you to today? How will you fulfill that call?
3. What is preventing you from fully pursuing God’s call upon your life right now? (Fears, failures, need for security, etc.)

As you prepare to come to the retreat be mindful of the following;

1. Begin praying by asking God what may be revealed to you about your call in ministry.
2. Set aside any agenda you may be coming with and listen for God’s agenda for your life.
3. Prepare to leave cell phone and email behind for the entire time you are at the retreat.
4. Choose a spiritual discipline to experience the week prior to the retreat to allow time for God to prepare you (fasting, silence, journaling, prayer, study, etc.).

Call to the River - retreat January 8-10, 2009

Do you know your purpose in ministry? Do you feel a pull to explore other ministry venues in your main line tradition? Have you ever been called to the rivers edge and wondered if you should cross it?

Moses led the Israelites across the Red Sea to the promised land. Once he started, there was no turning back - he had to get to the otherside to save the people and deliver them to the promised land. Ministry can be like that. Visioning something better for the congregation or the church is like seeing something you want on the other side of the river. You have to cross the river, however, to attain it; to make the change; to secure the vision. When you are in the middle of the river in the midst of rocks and rapids is no time to change your mind - you have to go forward to get to calmer waters.

We are a group of clergy and laity who have come together to explore how we can help you find your way on the new paths that are being carved out by the emerging church.

We are calling ourselves The River Team and planning a retreat for January 8,9, 10 2009 to explore call and purpose in ministry - where you are now and where you are headed. We will send out invitations to clergy and laity for this retreat, but who knows - we may be in the middle of the river ourselves. The other side is not yet in sight.

Registration and additional information will be available soon.